Objective
To provide reliable and high-level work as a part-time assistant while also managing and growing my existing small business

Relevant Highlights

• Typing speed: 80 WPM
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, HTML code, content management systems, and Associated Press style
• Experience in a variety of office settings, including higher education, corporate, and state government

Experience    

Co-owner
Barley Labs All-natural Dog Treats, September 2012-Present, Durham, NC

• Increased revenue by 127 percent year-over-year (2013-2014)
• Secured product placement in 67 retail locations in the first two years of operation
• Named top four finalist out of 15,000 companies in the Intuit Small Business Big Game contest (winner received an ad during the Super Bowl; finalists received national ads aired in 2014)

• Generated publicity in The News and Observer, The Herald-Sun, WNCN (NBC-17), WRAL (CBS), Triangle Business Journal, Durham Magazine Blog, Fifteen501 Online News

• Create the content and layout for the company’s website and social media accounts


Freelancer
October 2009-Present, Self-employed

• Write and edit media relations materials, including news releases, pitch letters and articles
• Create websites using WordPress for small businesses, including a law firm and consulting firm
• Provide input and feedback on media relations strategies

Internal Communications Manager, Sales and Marketing
Bioventus (formerly a division of Smith & Nephew), July 2010-January 2013, Durham, NC

• Provided strategic internal communication planning and counsel for a $200+ million biologics company
• Created and managed a new communication process to streamline and ensure consistency of messages to a field sales organization consisting of more than 300 sales employees
• Secured and managed an email marketing system to provide consistency of and the ability to measure the success of email communications, resulting in a 50 percent increase in open rates year over year
• Served as the communication lead on the global sales meeting core team, planning and executing a meeting with a budget of $1.2 million

Marketing Manager
Academy of General Dentistry, March 2008-October 2009, Chicago, IL

• Managed the marketing for all membership recruitment programs for the association, resulting in an increase of new members of 16 percent in the first four months of 2009 over 2008
• Designed surveys and analyzed market research to create strategies and to build benchmarking and evaluation programs for various recruitment campaigns; presented results to the Board of Trustees and council members
• Analyzed monthly membership reports to adjust or create new membership marketing programs 
• Supervised two staff members and outside vendors and oversaw a budget of nearly $300,000
• Created copy and directed design for marketing pieces such as print and online advertisements, posters, direct mail and e-blasts

Corporate Communications Manager
CareerBuilder.com, March 2007-March 2008, Chicago, IL

• Managed all public relations efforts for eight vertical markets, resulting in media placements in “The Today Show,” MarketWatch Radio Network, Chicago Tribune and el Diario La Prensa
• Distilled quarterly research results on job search and employment-related issues into consumer-friendly information used in press releases and presentations
• Wrote nominations for and won the 2007 American Business Award—Best Sales Organization and BusinessWeek’s Best Places to Launch a Career 
• Secured speaking opportunities and created presentations for C-suite executives
• Produced videos for the “About Us” section on the Web site

Media Relations Specialist/Executive Communication Specialist
American Osteopathic Association (AOA), Nov. 2004-March 2007, Chicago, IL

• Served as the ghostwriter for the executive director, creating staff communications; daily and monthly e-newsletters; speaking points; and a monthly column for a magazine with a circulation of about 70,000
• Initiated the executive director’s blog in 2005 and managed daily updates and comment responses
• Generated publicity in local and national media outlets with audiences ranging from 7,000 to 90,000,000, including Forbes.com, The Oregonian (Portland) and FOX5 News “This Morning” (Las Vegas) 
• Created content for the online media center on the association’s Web site, which receives an average of 15,000 hits daily
• Developed and implemented a heart health program with five Chicago Public Schools and three Board of Trustees members

Communications Fellow
Ohio Senate, Dec. 2003-Nov. 2004, Columbus, OH

• Selected to serve in a one-year fellowship for the State Senate through Ohio’s Legislative Service Commission
• Coordinated communications efforts for the senate minority caucus, including press conferences, press releases, speaking points and newsletter articles 
• Advised state senators and representatives of potential issues on the state Controlling Board

Education      

DePaul University, MA, 2009, Diploma of Distinction, Public Relations and Advertising, Chicago, IL

• TA and Instructor of Record, College of Communication, 2007-2008
• Student Representative, Personnel Committee, 2007-2008  

Miami University, BA, 2003, Speech Communication/Public Relations, Oxford, OH